The tension on a lute is usually lower than a guitar. Why don't you
try tuning your guitar down a tone or two. A distance between the 8th
and 9th fret on your guitar equaling the 1st to 2nd fret on the lute
would make for a very small lute! However, put a capo wherever it is
comfortable to play. You don't want to be straining. The 12 string
would give you a very rough idea of the spacing but the tension is so
different you wouldn't get a lute experience out of it.
When you say it is difficult for you to turn your left hand
completely over, I don't understand what you mean, but if you mean it
is difficult to reach around and touch the frets, you are probably
doing something not quite right. You shouldn't have to bend the wrist
excessively. I think you would do well to get some lessons in the
beginning stage when habits are formed. Even via Skype, I'm sure help
can be had. Try examining some videos of people playing at .ning or
youtube.
There are good cheap lutes available, but cheap is a relative term.
You should be able to find something highly playable in the $800-1500
range. Anything far less than that and you would be getting into
questionable territory. Do ask about luthiers.
Don't talk yourself out of this endeavor!
cheers,
On Sep 19, 2008, at 12:09 AM, Mike Coleman wrote:
Thanks to all for your helpful replies.
I didn't really say it, but I don't know how to play the guitar
either, beyond being able to tune it and find notes on it. I'm just
using one we have laying around the house as a lute simulator. :-)
One problem I've noticed when toying with a guitar or especially an
electric base is that it's very difficult for me to turn my left hand
completely over, which makes it difficult to finger notes that require
a reach, up near the first fret. Just looking at the pictures, I'm
thinking/hoping that the stretch for a lute is much smaller, and would
be easier for me, mechanically. I'm guessing that the distance
between the first and second frets on a lute are approximately like
the distance between 8th and 9th frets on a guitar--if so, then maybe
capo'ing my guitar at the 8th fret would make it feel more like a
lute. I'm not so concerned about pitch--I just want to know what a
lute feels like. The suggestion to try out a 12-string guitar is
interesting--I'll give that a try.
I noticed that the UK lute society has a set of lutes for rent--wish
we had that over here (USA). I'm not wealthy, so my options look a
little daunting. With any luck I'll talk myself out of it before it
comes to that. ;-)
Mike
To get on or off this list see list information at
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Ed Durbrow
Saitama, Japan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/
